Waltham Mills Artist Association hosted their open studios this past weekend from noon to 6 p.m. The event included in-person showings at buildings four and 18 at their location at 144 Moody Street where visitors could explore the open workspaces of over 80 community artists as well as purchase art to support the creators. 

The open studios tradition had moved online due to the pandemic, which allowed for a wide range of artists to showcase their work from the comfort of their own spaces. As regulations opened to allow for both outdoor and indoor COVID-safe events, Waltham allowed for in-person engagements such as the open studios. On Oct. 2, the Artists Association hosted an Art Window Walk, which used the space of local small businesses to showcase the work of artists in the community. The tour included seven pieces of art and took place on Moody Street, beginning at The Tea Leaf.

The open studios event was made possible both by artist donations and community sponsors. The 2021 platinum sponsors for the open studios include Leisman Insurance Agency, Waltham Cultural Council and the Jones Partnership Fund. 

The Waltham Open Studios website tells the story of the event’s history, stating, “In 1978, just a couple years after artists began working in the historic Waltham Mills buildings, they opened their workspaces to the public for one weekend. Visitors appreciated behind-the-scenes views and opportunities to purchase art directly from the creators.” 

The 2021 artists whose work is on view at the open studios work in a vast range of creative forms, including digital art, drawing, installation, metalwerx, sculpture and printmaking. Featured artists include Caleb Colpitts, who shares a studio with painter Genevieve Cohn, and Stacey Piwinski, who is currently creating work to convey her deep emotions regarding the pandemic through paintings, portraits, tapestries and scarves. Her work is located on the third floor of the fourth mill building. Waltham Open Studios circulates news and announcements regarding their events and artists through a newsletter, their website and their Instagram account.